Gen Z Loneliness Crisis: Report Reveals Declining Friendships & Future Fears

While pop star Raye brought a message of hope, declaring “it’s gonna be all right” to a crowd of largely GCSE-aged fans at Reading festival, a new report paints a much gloomier picture for England’s young people. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank has released findings that highlight a significant decline in wellbeing, revealing that 11- to 24-year-olds (Gen Z and older Gen Alpha) are increasingly grappling with loneliness.

The report indicates a stark reality: young people today have fewer friends than previous generations and are less content with the friendships they do possess. Worryingly, one in 20 young individuals state they have no friends at all. Interviews conducted for the study revealed a widespread lack of confidence about the future and issues with concentration, often linked to excessive social media use.

When asked about their spare time activities, a common response was "doomscrolling", endlessly consuming negative news online.

The IPPR's analysis extends beyond technology, identifying a broken “social contract” with youth. Factors contributing to this crisis include soaring housing costs, a scarcity of entry-level jobs, overwhelming student debt, the impact of austerity measures, and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report criticises politicians for their “deference to unaccountable tech oligarchs” but emphasizes that the problems are deeply systemic, affecting the 10 million young people in England.

While the study provides a broad overview, it doesn't overlook socioeconomic disparities.

The most significant drops in life satisfaction over the past decade have been observed in deprived areas, where issues like housing pose an even greater barrier to opportunity and happiness.

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